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GCHV vs MSH LEGACY: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical GCHV model beats 38% and a typical MSH LEGACY model 34%. GCHV rates slightly higher overall.

Covers heat pumps sold new today (R-454B and R-32 refrigerant). See older R-410A models · Updated

GCHV

38%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below average

20 models listed

MSH LEGACY

34%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below average

7 models listed

Rating by ratingEach bar is the share of same-size, same-type heat pumps that a typical model beats, so the two brands compare fairly even if they make different sizes.
  • Efficiency on a 5°F dayCOP at 5°FGCHV: Beats 39%MSH LEGACY: Beats 25%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FGCHV: Beats 37%MSH LEGACY: Beats 11%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2GCHV: Beats 28%MSH LEGACY: Beats 24%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2GCHV: Beats 30%MSH LEGACY: Beats 39%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2GCHV: Beats 51%MSH LEGACY: Beats 56%

Average (50%)Dashed outline: the other brand, for comparison

Want ranks, distributions per size class and cold-weather curves? Switch to Advanced

Rebate standards

Share of each brand’s models that meet the level. Programs can have other rules too.
  • CEE 2025

    GCHV
    20%
    MSH LEGACY
    0%
  • Xcel CC

    GCHV
    20%
    MSH LEGACY
    0%
  • CEE Advanced

    GCHV
    0%
    MSH LEGACY
    0%
  • ENERGY STAR CC

    GCHV
    10%
    MSH LEGACY
    0%

All-around best, ducted 3.5–4.5 tons

Balances heating (5°F output and efficiency, HSPF2) and cooling (SEER2, EER2), each rating against units their size.

GCHV

  1. 1COT-D60HNR8-GA01(J0)with ducted air handler CAH-D48HNR8-FMD(J0)GCHV4 tons · 47,500 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 64.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    71% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    17.5 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    11.3 (EER2)
    Good
    64.4score / 100Heating 64 · Cooling 65
  2. 2COT-D48HNR8-GA01(J0)with ducted air handler CAH-D60HNR8-FMD(J0)GCHV4.5 tons · 55,500 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 64.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    75% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    8.6 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    17.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    10.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    54.1score / 100Heating 65 · Cooling 44

MSH LEGACY

  1. 1PHB560000K000B*MSH LEGACY4.5 tons · 56,000 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 46% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    46% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    7.7 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    15.5 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    11.5 (EER2)
    Good
    46.0score / 100Heating 36 · Cooling 56
  2. 2PHB560000H000B*MSH LEGACY4.5 tons · 56,000 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 46% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    46% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    7.7 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    15.5 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    11.5 (EER2)
    Good
    46.0score / 100Heating 36 · Cooling 56
  3. 3PHB548000K000B*MSH LEGACY4 tons · 46,500 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 40% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    41% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    7.2 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    15.2 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    11.5 (EER2)
    Good
    34.4score / 100Heating 17 · Cooling 52

These are certified test ratings, not a recommendation for your home. The right size comes from a load calculation by a contractor.

Next steps

The advanced view adds ranks, both brands’ models inside every size class, standout models per rating and cold-weather curves.

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